This is the great Ashford Team that reformed on the 5th August 1994 to play Carnew Emmets, the team that they had beaten twenty years earlier in the Wicklow Senior Football Championship Final 1974, they won that game by 4-4 to 1-8. The photo shows
Back Row, L-R: Pat Lawless, Brian Carthy, Pat Carthy, Don O’Gorman (RIP),
Mick Behan, Mick Quinn, Pat O’Connor, Tony Behan, Philip Behan, Joe Beal,
Paddy Shannon, Noel Mooney. Front Row, L-R: Jimmy Hatton (Referee),Peadar
Shortt, Nial Duignan, Bernard Flood, Mick Doyle, Pat Henry, Myles Manning,
Tommy Glynn, Myles Moody, Larry Timmons.
Other players that featured on the team and in the panel of that historic
year were, Noel Carthy, John Manning (RIP), Mick ConnollyRichard Bell,
Michael O’Neill.
The final was played on September 29th 1974, Ashford scorers were Pat Carthy
(0-3), Noel Carthy (1-0), Pat Lawless (1-0), Pat O’Connor (1-0), John
Manning (1-0) and Mick Behan (0-1). In the Semi-Final, Ashford beat Kilcoole
2-15 to 1-5. Ashford scorers were Mick Quinn( 2-2), Mick O’Neill (0-4), Pat
Henry (0-3), Pat O’Connor (0-2), Mick Behan (0-2) and Pat Lawless (0-2). In
the Quarter-Final Ashford beat Tinahely 3-8 to 1-4. Ashford scorers were
Brian Carthy (2-1), John Manning (1-1), Pat Henry (0-3), Mick Quinn (0-2)
and Pat Carthy (0-1).
The person responsible for bringing this team to-gether was Eamon Downey. In
1956 Eamonn was building his team to win a Senior Football Championship and
18 years later his management and professional package bore fruit with the
Club’s only Senior Football Championship victory. In between that 18 year
period Eamon had won Championship Titles at U14, U16, three Minor, U21,
Junior and Intermediate Football, he had also won many County Leagues and
Tournament Finals. Eamon managed to bring the best available talent from the
Ashford and Glenealy Parishes to win titles, although along the way he would
have lost quality inter county players through injury, immigration and early
retirement such as Joe Kavanagh, James Ward, Sean Behan, Mick Kavanagh and
Charlie Kelly. It was no surprise that this team had reached a Senior Final
in 1969 when they were favourites to beat St. Patricks, however the
experienced St. Patricks won on the day 3-4 to 1-7. Had Ashford won in 1969
they would have won many titles before their first in 1974.
Eamon Downey, Ashford’s unsung hero was Chairman of the Club in 1974,Eamon along with Liam Cullen and Mick Farrell (RIP) provided the necessary ingredients to make this Championship success possible. Liam Cullen well known businessman and victualler from Ashford sponsored the training programme. Liam had the foresight to see that something extra was required to make this team champions, Liam introduced Mick Farrell, Mick was responsible for Wicklow’sJunior Football success in 1969 now brought Ashford players to a new level of fitness never seen in Wicklow. Players were required to sprint 20 X 50 meters up Mount Alto Bank carrying a cement block. During this golden 18
year period Ashford had won 9 Championship Titles from Under 14 to Senior
and had provided many key players for our Inter County Teams. While Tom
Cooney and Dick Melia from Ashford were staring for Wicklow during the
fifties, a new breed of player was emerging. Noel Carthy was one of
Wicklow’s best forwards during this period and it was fitting that Noel was
rewarded with the captaincy of the victorious Wicklow Junior Football Team
that won the All Ireland Title in 1969 beating Kerry by 0-12 to 1-8. Mick
Behan played a key part at right half back for Wicklow, Mick was outstanding
throughout the championship.
Both Pat Carthy and Tommy Glynn were part of a strong panel. Also in 1969 Brian Carthy and Kevin Melia played for the Wicklow Senior Footballers that were narrowly beaten by Wexford in the Leinster Championship. Phillip Behan and Mick Quinn were representing Wicklow at minor level.
What a year for Ashford, no fewer than eight players had represented their county in 1969 demonstrating the strength of the club. Other players from Ashford to have represented Wicklow at Inter County level during this 18 year golden period were Joe Kavanagh, Harry Behan, Peter Kavanagh, Sean Behan, James Ward, Nial Duignan, Mick Quinn. Pat O’Connor represented Wicklow at Minor level in 1967 and 1968. Pat again starred for Wicklow against Louth in 1973 along with three other Ashford players Philip Behan, Mick Behan and Brian Carthy. Pat Lawless played Minor against Louth in 1962 and Under 21 against Carlow in 1965. Noel Carthy represented Wicklow at all levels from 1959 to 1970, Brian Carthy represented Wicklow at all levels from 1962 to 1976. Some of the other players who helped Ashford make history during that 18 year period were Jim Ward, Mick Kavanagh, Brendan Newsome, Eamon Kelly, Donohoe Brothers, Tom McHugh, Micky O’Neill, Jimmy Kavanagh, Joe Kavanagh, Dick Fitzpatrick, Sean Behan, Harry Behan, Tommy Synnott, Oliver Synnott, Noel Kavanagh, Joe Kavanagh, George Corscadden(RIP), Pat Clarke(RIP), Brian Duignan, Mick Manning, Charlie Kelly.
Tom McHugh was Secretary of the Club in 1974, Tom has given a lifetime of
service to Ashford featuring as a player, Committee Member and Groundsman.
